Quick Answer
JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) offers full retail net metering as a community-owned municipal utility. Rates average $0.11-0.13/kWh—lower than investor-owned Florida utilities but stable with customer-focused policies. Northeast Florida sunshine is excellent. Key consideration: battery backup is essential for hurricane resilience. JEA is a hidden gem in the Florida solar market.
JEA Overview
JEA, formerly Jacksonville Electric Authority, is a community-owned utility serving Jacksonville and surrounding areas. As a municipal utility, JEA operates without shareholders, which generally results in more customer- friendly policies including solar programs.
From my experience:JEA is a hidden gem in Florida. While FPL customers deal with the politics of the state's largest investor-owned utility, JEA customers benefit from community ownership and full retail net metering. Jacksonville gets great sunshine, and the municipal utility structure means policies tend to favor customers rather than shareholders. The main consideration here is hurricanes—Jacksonville is very much in the hurricane zone. Battery backup isn't optional in my opinion; it's essential. After any major storm, having power when your neighbors don't is worth far more than the extra cost.
JEA Stats
JEA serves approximately 480,000 electric customers in Northeast Florida. As one of the nation's largest municipal utilities, JEA offers competitive rates averaging $0.11-0.13/kWh with full retail net metering. (Source: utility tariff filings and DSIRE Database)
[Editor's Note, Jan 2026]:Net metering policies, rate structures, and program availability verified with current utility data.
Service Area
JEA Coverage
- Primary area: Duval County (Jacksonville)
- Surrounding: Parts of Clay, Nassau, St. Johns counties
- Major areas: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach
Net Metering
JEA Solar Program
- Credit rate: Full retail (~$0.11-0.13/kWh)
- System cap: 10 kW standard residential
- Credit rollover: Monthly
- Municipal advantage: Community-focused policy
Municipal Utility Benefit
As a community-owned utility, JEA isn't driven by shareholder profits. This translates to full retail net metering and generally supportive solar policies. JEA customers can advocate directly through local governance channels. (Source: utility tariff filings and DSIRE Database)
JEA Rate Structure
| Usage Level | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|
| First 1,000 kWh | ~$0.11/kWh |
| Over 1,000 kWh | ~$0.13/kWh |
| Fuel charge | Additional ~$0.03/kWh |
Rate Structure
JEA Residential Rates
- Tiered structure: Higher usage = higher rates
- Fuel adjustment: Variable monthly
- Customer charge: Fixed monthly fee
- Overall: Lower than many Florida IOUs
Going Solar with JEA
Interconnection Process
- Application: Submit through JEA
- Review: System design review
- Approval: Receive permission to install
- Inspection: JEA and local inspection
- Activation: Begin solar production
Hurricane Considerations
- Proper installation: Wind-rated systems essential
- Coastal areas: Salt air may require maintenance
- Battery backup: Valuable for storm outages
- Insurance: Ensure solar is covered
The Bottom Line
JEA offers favorable conditions for solar. Full retail net metering and community ownership create good economics. Lower rates mean smaller absolute savings but solid long-term value. Battery backup adds hurricane resilience for Northeast Florida.
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